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Blood sugar levels Featured Posts GD Basics

High fasting levels

5th August 202015th August 2020 Jo Paterson 16449 Views apple cider vinegar, bedtime snacks, dawn phenomenon, high blood sugar levels, high levels, Somogyi effect

High fasting levels or fasting hyperglycemia1, are a huge problem for many ladies. Fasting blood sugar levels (levels taken first

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You’re walking in the right direction. Just keep

You’re walking in the right direction. Just keep walking 🤍
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Following my post yesterday on strawberries, here

Following my post yesterday on strawberries, here is an infographic showing you some other lower carb fruits which are generally tolerated much better than others:
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🍓🫐strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, tayberries, gooseberries, blackberries, red currants & blackcurrants
🍒 cherries
🥝 kiwi fruits
🍋 lemons, limes & grapefruits (although please check that you are safe to eat grapefruit if you are taking any medications as it can interact with certain meds)
🍏 Granny Smith apples (specifically this variety as they are much less sweet than other varities)
🥣Rhubarb
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Start with small servings of fruit & treat it as the only carb on the plate ie. do not add additional carbs with fruit as it can be difficult to determine which carbs are causing problems & easily cause a high carb snack/meal without realising
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As always #NeverEatANakedCarb this means pairing the fruit with something high in natural fat & protein. By doing this it slows down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, slowing gastric emptying & results in a much flatter & controlled blood glucose response (a much lower spike in levels)
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You can use whichever pairing foods you like, but I’ve shared ones that people tend to enjoy with fruit the most. Ideally eat the pairing food before the fruit or at the same time to maximise the effect it has on flattening the glucose spike eg. dip strawberries in real cream or full fat Greek yogurt, or dip slices of Granny Smith apple into peanut butter, or eat some nuts & seeds followed by the fruit
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Start with small servings of fruit with plenty of pairing and then test after one hour to see how well you have tolerated the fruit (NICE recommend <7.8mmol/L one hour after eating). Depending on the result, you can then either decrease the amount of fruit & increase the pairing food to achieve lower levels the next time, or if you get nice low levels you know you can increase the amount of fruit slightly next time
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Note: not all will tolerate all the suggested fruits here, but they are much better options (when paired) than other higher carb fruits such as mango, pineapple, ripe banana, grapes & dried fruits (AKA sugar bullets!! 🍇)
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#GDFoodPairing

Summertime means beautiful locally grown strawberr

Summertime means beautiful locally grown strawberries 🍓 🍓🍓🍓🍓
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Some of you may be concerned about eating something that tastes as sweet as strawberries with diabetes, but actually strawberries, berries & cherries are low carb fruits. They are both low GI (glycemic index) and have a low GL (glucose load). Due to their high water content and fibre, it means these naturally sweet fruits don’t spike blood sugar levels as high as some other fruit
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To help reduce spikes in blood sugar when eating strawberries try ‘pairing them’ by adding some REAL cream (double, whipping, clotted, coconut, or soy cream) the natural fats in these creams will help slow and flatten the spike in blood sugar levels making them the perfect sweet treat morning, noon or night 👌🏻
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Other nutritional benefits of strawberries:
🍓 rich in vitamin c which boosts the immune system & is essential for collagen building (collagen is a protein that helps build babies bones, cartilage & skin)
🍓 good source of fibre which helps reduce postprandial blood glucose levels & encourages healthy bowel movements
🍓 rich in antioxidants which help reduce inflammation & act as a prebiotic in the gut
🍓 a source of folic acid which helps prevent birth defects
🍓 low in calories which is beneficial if you need to follow a low cal diet for other dietary reasons
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Yesterday we went to our local PYO (pick your own) fruit farm @borderberries it was a great morning out. The boys learned about where the fruit comes from, helped pick it, ate a ton, and had plenty of exercise out in the fresh air. We picked strawberries, gooseberries & fresh peas (we already have raspberries, redcurrants, cherries & rhubarb in our garden at home) so watch this space for some new recipes coming soon!
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Why not find out if you have a local PYO farm and make the most of this beautiful weather and some of the best British/Irish produce there is and support your local farmers too 🚜 💚
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#GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesDiet #8GoldenRules #GDFoodPairing #DiabetesInPregnancy #PregnancyDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesSucks #Type2Pregnancy #LowCarb #LowGI #LowGL #strawberries #PYO #BordersBerries #LowCarbFruit

Symptoms of gestational diabetes… ⠀ It is very

Symptoms of gestational diabetes…
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It is very common for NO symptoms to be present with gestational diabetes and this is why many ladies feel that they can’t possibly have gestational diabetes after receiving a positive result and struggle to come to terms with the diagnosis
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Some women may experience some symptoms such as:
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🤕Headaches
😶‍🌫️Blurred vision
🥵Feeling thirsty
😵‍💫Feeling shaky or unsteady
🤢Nauseous when needing to eat
🥴Urinating more frequently
🥱Tiredness
🤒Recurrent infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and thrush
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You will notice that many of these symptoms are common during a normal pregnancy and so it is hard to determine if they are due to gestational diabetes or just pregnancy itself until a glucose tolerance test is performed or blood glucose levels are monitored
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If you have any of the above symptoms you should enquire about being tested for gestational diabetes 📞👩🏽‍⚕️
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Read more @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/diagnosing-gestational-diabetes/
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Can the heat affect your blood glucose levels if y

Can the heat affect your blood glucose levels if you have gestational diabetes? YES!

Here are a few things you should know...
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💧🥤Stay hydrated! If you become dehydrated you run the risk of higher blood glucose levels & ketones
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😎 Keep your kit cool! Insulin, test strips & your blood glucose monitor can all be affected by extreme temperatures. It is best to keep testing equipment & insulin out of direct sunlight & hot conditions
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😖 Increased risk of hypos for mothers who use insulin as heat can increase the absorption of some fast-acting insulins
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👀⛔️ Signs that’s insulin has been heat damaged & should be disposed of:
•cloudy insulin may look grainy & stick to the sides of the glass in the insulin pen
•clear insulin may become cloudy
•insulin may turn brownish in colour
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⏰ 🍓🥜 Try to eat little & often! Many do not feel like eating much in warmer weather, but going long periods of time without eating means BG levels drop low then the liver dumps glucose into the bloodstream causing spikes. The best way to stabilise BG levels is to keep eating little & often (ideally 3 meals & 3 snacks a day)
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🧢🧴 Stay sun safe! Wear a hat, spf sun lotion, avoid sitting out at the hottest part of the day & don’t over do it! People with diabetes are at higher risk of heat exhaustion
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www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/gestational-diabetes-heat/
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#Hypo #Hypos #FalseHypo #FalseHypos #BePrepared #HypoKit #DrinkMoreWater #StaySunSafe #StayHydrated #EatLittleAndOften #Insulin #CheckYourInsulin #KeepYourTestKitCool
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Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well and en

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying some glorious sunshine? (without melting if you’re currently heavily pregnant 🥵) We’re back after a wonderful break at @forestholidays Deerpark, Cornwall. The journey down from Scotland to Cornwall wasn’t too bad, 9hrs with one stop at services. It was a bit rainy for a few days but we made the most of it and the boys had a fantastic time with Ranger Tom from Forest Holidays, doing pond/stream dipping and then an adventure walk which included map reading, foraging & shelter building. Tom was fab with our boys: Mackinley (13), Finlay (6) and Brodie (3). So if you get the chance to go and book these activities they are really really worth it! The hot tub was also a huge hit (the boys were in it every single day. Considering it was supposed to be a relaxing adult treat, Gavin has a sprained ankle which gets worse in hot water, so I only made it in twice and that was with my sugar babies with me splashing around. Not the relaxing & romantic hot tub I had planned 💦 😝)
We had some lovely days out at @newquayzoo @thecornishsealsanctuary @looecornwall @perranporthcornwall
and a lovely meal in the garden @jamaicainncornwall
Our journey home was the worst part, 13 hours 😩😵‍💫🥱 due to heavy traffic and some incidents on the M5 and M6.
And that’s that…back home and back at it! I need a holiday 🤣
I’ll be trawling through my inboxes, but please feel free to give me a nudge if you messaged/emailed and are waiting on a reply. Much love, Jo Gestational Diabetes UK Founder xx
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Please note: this is not an ad or paid partnership. I did not receive any promotion/discount/financial gain for mentioning any of the places we stayed or visited on our hol, just simply sharing the lovely holiday we had and some lovely places & experiences xx

Morning everyone! Just a quick note to let you kno

Morning everyone! Just a quick note to let you know that I’m finally away on holiday for a lovely break with my family that we booked back in 2019 but had to move because of Covid. We are so excited!
As always, making the most of the Scottish schools breaking up earlier than England, I’m coming home 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 well, not home home (not Cambs, sorry Mum, Dad & my big sisters - we will see each other again one day!), but down to England for a lovely holiday in Cornwall ☀️
So I’ll not be on here much as I’ll try to have a bit of break from the world of GD to spend some much needed quality time with my boys 💚❤️💙💚
My wonderful Facebook admin team are looking after the FB groups for me 💞 so please remember you have those wonderful ladies to help & support you if you need it @ www.facebook.com/groups/GestationalDiabetesUKMums and @ www.facebook.com/GDUKMums

Speak soon, over and out, Jo 💜

It was 7 years ago today that I set up Gestational

It was 7 years ago today that I set up Gestational Diabetes UK Facebook group and it’s amazing to see how far it’s come and how many people with gestational diabetes it’s helped along the way! I wonder how many GD UK sugar babies are out there now 🤔
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Happy Birthday Gestational Diabetes UK 🎉
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Quick & easy lunchtime inspiration, GD-friendly Pe

Quick & easy lunchtime inspiration, GD-friendly Pesto Pizza:
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•tortilla wrap
•pesto
•dried oregano
•grated cheddar
•grated mozzarella
•ricotta
•chopped cherry tomatoes
•fresh basil
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Check out the recipe and chart comparing lots of different tortilla wraps so you can find the best ones @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/gd-friendly-pizza/ or use the link in bio to find the recipe index
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I’ve tweaked the basic ground almond pancakes re

I’ve tweaked the basic ground almond pancakes recipe. It was a recipe I made years ago in my 2nd pregnancy and I’ve since developed my baking knowledge somewhat to know how to improve taste & texture

Go try out this updated version and enjoy a weekend brunch!

https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/basic-ground-almond-pancakes/

#AlmondPancakes #LowCarbPancakes #JosGDRecipes #TodaysMealOnTheWall #MealOnTheWall #Brunch #LowCarbBreakfast #LowCarbBrunch #BasicGroundAlmondPancakes #BlueberryAndAlmondPancakes #SugarFreePancakes #GlutenFreePancakes #GestationalDiabetes #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #Type2Pregnancy #DiabeticPregnancy

Stop and take 30 seconds to release some tension f

Stop and take 30 seconds to release some tension from your body 💖 Did it help?

Posted @withregram • @mellow.doodles

#breathe #anxietyrelief #calmyourmind #GDUKMums #gestationaldiabetes

Sweeteners in pregnancy ⠀ This is a heavy going

Sweeteners in pregnancy
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This is a heavy going post which has a lot of info to take in, but it is important to share this evidence-based research with you
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I have spent a long time reading the research around this matter and then creating this article to help you make informed choices around the use of artificial sweeteners in pregnancy
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Whilst sweeteners in pregnancy may be deemed as safe for consumption by the food standards agency, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and The British Dietetic Association (BDA), there is increasing evidence suggesting that consuming artificial sweeteners in pregnancy leads to changes in metabolism and gut microbiome causing metabolic modifications which can lead to increased BMI and increased insulin resistance in the child born to the mother who has consumed them
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With gestational diabetes, we cannot consume sugar without it resulting in high blood sugar levels, therefore many will naturally turn to using sweeteners and sweetened foods & beverages
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In this article I share the evidence-based research on the impact of using different sweeteners in pregnancy. I also share information around the different types of sweeteners available, including artificial non-nutritive sweeteners, naturally-derived sweeteners, sugar alcohols (Polyols) and different forms of sugars
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So put your feet up and have a good read (even you post-birth GD Mamas, this information will be important to you and your family too!) ☕️ 🤓

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/sweeteners-in-pregnancy/ (link in bio for those on Instagram)
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#Sweeteners #ArtificialSweeteners #NaturalSweeteners #SugarAlcohols #Sugar #Polyols #SweetenersInPregnancy #PregnancyNutrition #PregnancyDiet #PregnancyFood #NoAddedSugar #SugarFree #Diabetes #GestationalDiabetes #Type2Diabetes #MODY #LADA #Type1Diabetes #PCOS #InsulinResistance #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #GDUKMums #LifeAfterGestationalDiabetes #TeamGDUK #TruthAboutSweeteners #SlimmingWorld #SlimmingWorldPregnancy #LowCarbPregnancy #KetoPregnancy

13 years ago today I became a Mum to my first GD b

13 years ago today I became a Mum to my first GD baby (I have a teenager 😮!!) Happy 13th Birthday Mackinley 🥳🥰❤️
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13 years ago the only help & support I had with my gestational diabetes pregnancy was the limited information given to me at my weekly antenatal diabetes clinic appointments. Back then, then the advice & support was not great at all (in fact it was appalling)
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I could have only dreamed of the resources that are now available to you as pregnant mamas with GDM
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Not only do you have your NHS team of medical professionals to support you, but you now also have Gestational Diabetes UK 💜
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Working alongside the NHS, to complement the care you receive and bridging a gap for many, you have:
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1. The Gestational Diabetes UK website. A wealth of evidence-based information from conception, through pregnancy, birth and beyond. Free for all to use and benefit from (with an optional paid membership area for some additional recipes & meal plans which fund the website and my work) @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk
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2. The Gestational Diabetes UK Facebook support group. A peer support group run by myself and my wonderful admins (the GD UK Advisors), volunteers who are GD Mums and know exactly what it’s like to be dealing with GDM @ www.facebook.com/groups/GestationalDiabetesUKMums
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3. The Gestational Diabetes UK Instagram account. An account run solely by myself as Founder of Gestational Diabetes UK packed with posts to guide, encourage and inform you @ www.instagram.com/gestational_diabetes_uk
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If you only use one of these resources then you are missing out big time! All these resources work hand in hand to complete the puzzle that is gestational diabetes. You don’t have to struggle on alone like I did 13 years ago!
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So don’t miss pieces out of your puzzle! 🧩 🧩
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We are #GDUKMums #TeamGDUK
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#GDUK #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesDiet #GDPregnancy #DiabeticPregnancy #PregnancyDiabetes #PregnantDiabetic #DiabetesInPregnancy #Type2Pregnancy #MODYPregnancy #LADAPregnancy #Type1Pregnancy #HighRiskPregnancy #GlucoseToleranceTest #GDDiagnosis #GestationalDiabetesSupport #DiabetesAwareness #GD #GDM

Putting this up for any newly diagnosed mamas...

Putting this up for any newly diagnosed mamas...

How many of you thought, or think this?
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I would like you to read, SHARE and shout this from the rooftops!
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Eating loads of sweets, sugary food or junk is NOT what ‘causes’ GD and an even bigger surprise may be to hear that ANY pregnant woman can get it!
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We should not feel bad, guilty, or to blame. It should not be a condition that we should feel embarrassed about, or hide from
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It is a condition which is brought on due to pregnancy hormones
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Some women are at a higher risk of developing GD, but I need to make it clear that ANY PREGNANT WOMAN can get it, no matter your size, shape, race, or state of health
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During pregnancy, the body produces a number of hormones, such as oestrogen, progesterone and human placental lactogen (HPL). These hormones make the body insulin resistant, which means the cells respond less well to insulin and the level of glucose in the blood remains high.
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To cope with the increased amount of glucose in the blood, the body needs to produce more insulin. However, some women either cannot produce enough insulin in pregnancy to transport the glucose into the cells, or their body cells are more resistant to insulin.
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When this happens, blood glucose levels remain too high. This is known as gestational diabetes mellitus. Gestational diabetes can also be defined as carbohydrate intolerance.
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If you are one of the ones that is feeling any guilt, shame, embarrassment over GD diagnosis then I urge you to STOP ✋🏽 right now.
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Take some time to read through the info and support I offer and know that alongside an amazing team of healthcare professionals, we have your back and will help you every step of the way!
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Read more about GD diagnosis @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/diagnosing-gestational-diabetes/
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What not to say to a pregnant woman👿😝 Post

What not to say to a pregnant woman👿😝

Posted @withrepost • @kosogkaos

#GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #Pregnancy #Pregnant #Mummy #Mommy #Mama #Mammy #BabyOnBoard #PregnancyProblems

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5th June 20215th June 2021 Jo Paterson

The big question, is gestational diabetes misdiagnosis possible? YES. Gestational diabetes misdiagnosis can happen. However, since setting up my Facebook

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